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Popova Shapka Resort Reviews

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Visitor reviews for Popova Shapka Ski Resort

Popova Shapka Ratings

Overall: 3.7. Based on 33 votes and 13 reviews. Vote

Snowsure: 4.2

(1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Popova Shapka is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.

Variety of pistes: 3.9

(1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Popova Shapka has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.

Off-piste: 4.6

(1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.

Scenery: 4.5

(1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.

Access: 4.6

(1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Popova Shapka.

Public Transport: 3.7

(1) There are no buses or taxis to Popova Shapka, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.

Accommodation: 4.1

(1) No places to stay in/near Popova Shapka, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.

Cheap Rooms: 4.1

(1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.

Luxury Hotels: 3.0

(1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Popova Shapka.

Ski in/Ski out: 4.3

(1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.

Childcare: 3.1

(1) There are no child care facilities at Popova Shapka, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.

Snowmaking: 2.3

(1) Popova Shapka relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.

Snow Grooming: 4.0

(1) There are no snow groomers at Popova Shapka, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Popova Shapka are groomed daily.

Shelter: 3.4

(1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Popova Shapka is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.

Nearby options: 3.4

(1) If snow conditions are poor at Popova Shapka, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.

Regional rating: 4.3

(1) Popova Shapka usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.

Lift Staff: 3.6

(1) The staff at Popova Shapka are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Popova Shapka are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.

Crowds/Queues: 3.4

(1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.

Ski Schools: 3.5

(1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.

Hire and Repairs: 3.7

(1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.

Beginners: 4.3

(1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.

Intermediates: 4.5

(1) No intermediate terrain at Popova Shapka, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.

Advanced: 4.6

(1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.

Snow Park: 2.4

(1) Not even a kicker at Popova Shapka, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.

Cross-country: 3.5

(1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Popova Shapka, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.

Luge/Toboggan: 2.4

(1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Popova Shapka has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.

Mountain Dining: 3.8

(1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.

Eating: 3.7

(1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.

Apres-Ski: 3.4

(1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.

Other Sports: 2.8

(1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.

Entertainment: 3.0

(1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.

Winter Walks: 3.2

(1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.

Ski Pass Value: 3.8

(1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.

Value (National): 4.0

(1) Overall, Popova Shapka is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.

Value (Global): 4.2

(1) Overall, Popova Shapka is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

Show all 35 ratings

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January 04, 2008
Marko B. from Ski Macedonia Macedonia
Popova Shapka is a resort with great potential. Great mountain. One hell of a good slope called Ciripashina (steep and long). The other slopes are somewhat short. It's a shame that it's still state owned, and nothing has been invested in more than 20 years. That's why it's usually crowded. On the upside the ski pass is very cheep relative to the surrounding ski centres. Best time to visit - February.
March 18, 2008
Alan from Ski Croatia Croatia
Finally something is going on Shara! It's the first European Snowcat freeriding operation. They take you around 32 km2 of untracked mountain going up to 2700 m where you're the only one to enjoy this! There's wide open terrains, tree riding, couloirs, cliffs, banks, natural pipe canyons form 25 to 50 degrees steepness. You can do that even if you're an intermediate rider. Fat skis or snowboard are highly recommended, but if you don't have them you can rent it there. Check eskimo-freeride.com It's heli experience at a reasonable price...
February 03, 2009
saso from Ski Macedonia Macedonia
I was there today and believe Popova Shapka is a disaster. The ski lift on Teteks broke and the iron almost hit my eyes. Instead it hit my leg. When I tried to report this there was no help. Later on the small chair flew 20 meters away under another guy. I love my country but going to Popova Shapka to ski may just be too dangerous for you. Nobody even asked me if I was ok. Shapka = Big disaster.
February 05, 2009
Aljosa from Ski Macedonia Macedonia
Aljosa from Macedonia Popova Shapka is still the best.
February 11, 2009
Ivo from Ski Macedonia Macedonia
Popova Shapka is the best ski resort in Macedonia. Although much of the mountain's tough terrain and potential is unused, it offers better skiing than any other ski resort in the country as well as more snow. The employees there are polite and kind, offering assistance to everyone. Popova Shapka provides good value for your money but more restaurants are needed.
February 18, 2009
maja from Ski Macedonia Macedonia
Popova Shapka is great.
November 07, 2009
Nickey from Ski Macedonia Macedonia
Popova Sapka is the best ski resort that Macedonia has at the moment. Kozuf is still not developed that much. Current snow in P. Sapka is 5cm.
February 18, 2010
Vancoski from Ski Iceland Iceland
Sapka (Popova Sapka) is wonderful! You need to learn to use the equipment, and after that to make complaints. For trye, the equipment is a "little bit" old, and staff don't take care for the terrains, but at this moment, it gives you best value for your money. If you like better equipment go to Mavrovo, with unhealthy prices, which are maybe 40% higher then on Sapka (Popova Sapka).
March 23, 2010
zarko from Ski Macedonia Macedonia
Best place for free ride and I recommend to everybody who can, to come and visit our mountain (Popova Sapka)...100% satisfaction guaranteed.
October 19, 2010
Miki S. from Ski Macedonia Macedonia
Popova Sapka is simply the best and the worst! Best-nature Worst-ski resort

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